Saturday, May 22, 2004
Howland's Tony Davis broke Willie Davenport's school record in the 110 hurdles.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
AUSTINTOWN -- Warren Harding High track coach Charles Penny leaned against the chain link fence at sunny Fitch High stadium on Saturday, enjoying his team's moment in the sun.
Not long ago, the Raiders' track team was more of a punch line than a powerhouse. But the dedication of former coach Dan Reardon, the support of football coach Thom McDaniels and the encouragement of the current coaching staff has helped change that.
"We boosted our middle school program and the kids coming up continued with track," said Penny, who took over for Reardon when he was hired as Ursuline's football coach this winter.
"Their hope never faltered."
And their persistence paid off.
The Raiders, who also won the Trumbull County title, captured their first boys Division I district track title in school history, edging Twinsburg, 92-79
"We felt like if we could compete at the level we have throughout the year, we had a chance," said Penny, who credited assistant coaches Ryan Cole and Frank Caputo for his team's success. "The kids were confident and they put themselves in a position to win this. They did what they had to do."
Sophomore sprinter Jay Provitt won the 100 meters and was a member of the winning 4x100 and 4x200 relays. His brother, B.J. Provitt, placed first in the 200 and was a member of both relays.
"It's a great feeling," Jay Provitt said. "I didn't think I'd win the 100, but I just had the mindset that nobody wants this more than I do."
Howland senior Tony Davis broke Willie Davenport's school record in the 110 hurdles with a time of 14.19 -- he had tied the mark earlier in the season -- and won the 300 hurdles.
"This takes a lot of pressure off me," Davis said of the record. "I've been thinking about it a lot."
Davis finished fifth at last year's regional in the 110 hurdles -- the top four advance to the state meet -- and has improved his district time by a second over last season. He wants to advance in both events at next week's regional, but he'll have to do it in one of the toughest hurdling regionals in state history.
"It's gonna be hard, but I've just gotta push myself," he said. "I love the competition."
Girls
Boardman's girls team had regional qualifiers in 16 of the 17 events, helping the Spartans cruise to their fourth straight district title, edging Twinsburg 147-117.
But that doesn't mean it was easy. The Spartans, who lost several standouts to graduation last season, have dealt with their fair share of injuries and adversity this season.
"It's because of tradition," Boardman coach Denise Gorski said. "The girls who have been in this program have so much heart, so much guts and so much dedication that they just lift up the younger kids."
Among the afflicted Spartans are Brittany Durkin (torn ACL), Sarah Navarro (injured meniscus in knee), Carrie Zorman (stress fracture), Hayley Withrow (stress fracture) and Michelle Bistrica (who nearly passed out following Saturday's 3200).
"But it seems like every time somebody goes down, someone else steps up," Gorski said. "It's amazing."
Canfield senior Emily Wollet, a state finalist in the 400 last season, won the 200 and the 400 and also advanced in the 100 and the 4x400 relay. Needless to say, she'll be busy next week.
"Yeah, but this is my last year, so I wanted to see how far I could go," she said. "I'm going to go as fast as I can in as many as I can."
Will her state meet experience help her over the next two weeks?
"Well, it helps reassure you that you can do it," she said. "But that doesn't make it any easier."
scalzo@vindy.com